ESPN has lost a legend. Longtime NFL insider Chris Mortensen passed away Sunday morning at the age of 72. Mortensen spent more than three decades working for the worldwide leader in sports. The news of his passing was first made public by ESPN PR.
Affectionally referred to by his colleagues as ‘Mort’, Chris Mortensen contributed to ESPN’s NFL programs, SportsCenter and was the network’s top news breaker for years. He earned the Pro Football Writers of America’s Dick McCann Award in 2016, receiving his honor at the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s enshrinement ceremony in August of that same year. It was also the same year when Mortensen broke the news of Peyton Manning retiring from the NFL.
Unfortunately, 2016 was also the year when it was revealed that Mortensen was diagnosed with Stage 4 throat cancer.
“Mort was widely respected as an industry pioneer and universally beloved as a supportive, hard-working teammate,” ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro said in a statement. “He covered the NFL with extraordinary skill and passion, and was at the top of his field for decades. He will truly be missed by colleagues and fans, and our hearts and thoughts are with his loved ones.”
In 2023, Mortensen stepped away from his role at ESPN to focus on his health, family and faith. Prior to joining ESPN he wrote for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution covering the Falcons, Braves and the NFL He was also a columnist for The Sporting News and a consultant with CBS Sports’ ‘NFL Today’.
Chris Mortensen is survived by his wife, Micki, and son, Alex. Upon learning of his passing, members of the sports media industry flocked to social media to remember the ESPN legend.
An absolutely devastating day. Mort was one of the greatest reporters in sports history, and an even better man. Sincerest condolences to his family, and all who knew and loved him. So many did. Mort was the very best. He will be forever missed and remembered. https://t.co/7b7Im0vIFs
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 3, 2024
Chris Mortensen was one of the kindest, most generous gentlemen you could ever come across, in any field.
— Mike Greenberg (@Espngreeny) March 3, 2024
His professionalism and decency earned him universal admiration – his enthusiasm and good nature made him everyone’s friend.
His mark on the business will last a long…
.@movethesticks and @richeisen honor the memory of the legendary Chris Mortensen, who passed away today at the age of 72.
— NFL (@NFL) March 3, 2024
Our thoughts are with his family and the ESPN family. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/ehkj1BYar2
RIP my dear dear friend. Longtime tv partner and confidant. One of the very few people on earth I could trust with anything. All my love to Micki and Alex ???? pic.twitter.com/OzccB5rgHX
— Suzy Kolber (@SuzyKolber) March 3, 2024
Heartbroken. Mort was a great man and a good friend who loved Jesus, treasured his family and made us all smile every Sunday. He was an absolute legend, had the best sense of humor and made everyone feel like they mattered. Love you forever, Mort. ???? https://t.co/LVJSNb4koV
— Samantha Steele Ponder (@samponder) March 3, 2024
A giant in our business, and a terrific person. Will miss you, Mort. https://t.co/U2uxU3m0o6
— Peter King (@peter_king) March 3, 2024
An absolute giant of a man and journalist. One of the great thrills coming to ESPN was getting to know and learn from Mort. Condolences to his family and friends and Godspeed to a legend. https://t.co/XAZ2qnt4F5
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) March 3, 2024
Mort… I will ALWAYS love and appreciate everything I learned from you, all our battles, all our talks, but the most cherished voice mail I ever got, which I will save forever, came from this man about being of service!
— Jay Glazer (@JayGlazer) March 3, 2024
I love you brother and can’t wait for you to drop alllll… https://t.co/u0vyBLR0s6
Sad, Sad day. Just heard the news of my guy, @mortreport’s passing. So sad. Great insider. Great professional. Great colleague. Great man. Was always so good to me. You’ll be missed, Buddy! R.I.P.
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) March 3, 2024
Absolutely gutted. Incredible journalist but even better person. Helluva FF player too. When I 1st got to ESPN Mort was kind & welcoming to me. Not everyone was. Would have been easier to ignore me but he often pulled me aside to give advice or just listen. He was hilarious too.… https://t.co/rJuAETHFVZ
— Matthew Berry (@MatthewBerryTMR) March 3, 2024
Heartbroken. Mort was a class act, an encourager and a fierce supporter of the next generation of broadcasters. Praying for his family. https://t.co/zwB36sColk
— Laura Rutledge (@LauraRutledge) March 3, 2024
One of the best I’ve ever had the privilege to meet and work with for so many years. The absolute best at what he did…..and an even better person…Mort will truly be missed. https://t.co/GlYO7MzY0t
— Mike Golic (@golic) March 3, 2024
Devastated to hear about Mort’s passing. He was a legend and we spent so many hours together just talking football. I miss him dearly pic.twitter.com/gxiCULwKBG
— trey wingo (@wingoz) March 3, 2024
Oh no. Truly one of the sweetest people I have met in life. Mort helped me so much personally and professionally. A true legend and ambassador or the craft but more so, humanity. Condolences to his family. Rest in power Mort. ???????? https://t.co/lNj2kw5ta7
— Steve Wyche (@wyche89) March 3, 2024
I’m absolutely devastated to hear about the passing of Chris Mortensen. While he was a titan and a pioneer in our profession, he was also the kindest and most generous person to me. He was a mentor to some many of us at ESPN. He will be missed, but his legacy of kindness and…
— Mike Tannenbaum (@RealTannenbaum) March 3, 2024
Everyone will tell you that Mort was the best… because he was. One of the most respected professionals in the business and truly an even better person. Thoughts are with his family & friends. https://t.co/rwYW2lmnyI
— Ray Necci (@raymanjr) March 3, 2024
Mort after co-hosting Mike&Mike 15 years ago asked if his compensation for the show could go to the staff behind the scenes instead of to him. When told it didn't work that way, he still chose not to accept payment. We're talking multiple hundreds of $. Truly one of a kind #RIP
— Scott Shapiro (@scottshapiro33) March 4, 2024
I don't even have words really just crying my ass off , one of my closest colleagues in this biz… always had my back regardless of the situation , I love you ❤️ like a father may you rest in peace…….. you will be missed by allhttps://t.co/oDiXeybbwd
— Keyshawn Johnson (@keyshawn) March 3, 2024
Every single tribute to Mort is the same. The sincerity, decency, kindness, professionalism and humanity of the man is referenced by every team, player and colleague.
— Scott Van Pelt (@notthefakeSVP) March 3, 2024
Believe them all.
Chris Mortensen was a wonderful soul.
The Mort tributes are all nearly identical. That’s how you know they’re true. He led the league in being a great human, every season.
— Steve Levy (@espnSteveLevy) March 3, 2024
This is so upsetting on every level. #Mort
From @nflcommish pic.twitter.com/VG5EhVKKgu
— Brian McCarthy (@NFLprguy) March 4, 2024
So much more than football. Faith. Family. Friendship.
— Peter Gianesini (@PeteG860) March 3, 2024
Was a pleasure to work with Mort in many different settings and to call him a friend. May he Rest in Peace. https://t.co/9ftSvX68NN
One of the kindest people I have come across. So engaging, always extending a helping hand, always funny and a truly good soul
— Dan Orlovsky (@danorlovsky7) March 3, 2024
???????? RIP MORT https://t.co/wWZWOvSMVD
Mort was a giant baseball fan. We talked NFL and MLB often and his knowledge of each was spot on and deep. He was funny, warm and supremely gifted in his field. A trailblazer who earned everything.
— Karl Ravech (@karlravechespn) March 3, 2024
From the moment I began working at ESPN in 2007, this man was the kindest, most supportive soul. Every single time I saw him, he took the time to ask about my entire family….to share stories about my brother @CSteele32 with the @Ravens and especially to ask about my dad. Both… pic.twitter.com/a1ycvpmC1h
— Sage Steele (@sagesteele) March 3, 2024
Chris Mortenson had no reason to know, or care, about me while I was at ESPN. But as I pestered him, more than once, about how he covered an entire league as amazingly well as he did, he was never anything but generous and kind with his time and advice. Blessings to his family.
— David Aldridge (@davidaldridgedc) March 3, 2024
It is heartbreaking reading this about one of my friends from @espn He was terrific in his speech at Gala when receiving the John Saunders Award .Mort was so so good on the @NFL scene. May Chris RIP ! via @ESPN App https://t.co/QUMA6xge29
— Dick Vitale (@DickieV) March 3, 2024
I cannot begin to express my deep sense of loss as my beloved friend leaves us for the eternal reward he so deserves. I cannot adequately describe my love and appreciation for Mort. https://t.co/nT13GSWttx
— Ed Werder (@WerderEdESPN) March 3, 2024
Just gutted to hear this news. Mort was a gem of a person, a generous colleague with his time and advice and, obviously, one of the definitive reporters to ever cover the sport of football. Prayers with his family. https://t.co/JdRNPwcFim
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) March 3, 2024
An absolute legend.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) March 3, 2024
One of the finest people you will ever meet.
Mort was everything you could want in a friend: loyal, caring, generous, thoughtful.
A devastating loss ???????????? https://t.co/BJcYFA6SNA
To watch Chris Mortensen and John Clayton cover the NFL was not only a joy, but a master class. https://t.co/5ile21Th7F
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) March 3, 2024
Chris Mortensen was great at what he did, and a wonderful person, colleague, friend — the best of the best. We took this pic in Bristol six years ago. It was more meaningful than usual to see him then because he had fought thru cancer to be there. RIP, sir. @mortreport pic.twitter.com/d9RvHe4Lws
— Mike Sando (@SandoNFL) March 3, 2024
Gutting news. If you talk to Adam Schefter, Jay Glazer or anybody who followed in his path, they'd call him the ????.
— Michael McCarthy (@MMcCarthyREV) March 3, 2024
He always supported his fellow journalists (including me) with style, class and a total absence of malice.
God Bless Mort and his family. RIP, Mort. https://t.co/znlszCU4Il
Chris Mortensen was a shining example for everyone who does this job. Kind to all. Thoughtful and principled. He knew he had the best job in the world and never took it for granted. I cherished every conversation with him and feel lucky to have called him a friend. RIP, Mort. https://t.co/RPXp7mVnhv
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) March 3, 2024
Mort set the standard in the sports insider industry. He was smart, connected, humble, and supportive. My favorite trait was his sense of humor. In a business filled with people who may take this all too seriously at times, he always provided comedy. He loved his wife and family… https://t.co/TSycLYpBQR
— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) March 3, 2024
Rest in Peace Mort ! I had the honor of working with Mort for 28 years and could not have had a better friend.
— Ron Jaworski (@JawsCEOQB) March 3, 2024
My heart is broken.
Someone who asks how you are in the middle of the fight for their own life. And they mean it. That was Mort. As good and as genuine as they come.
— Nicole Briscoe (@RB_Mrs) March 4, 2024
So very sad to hear this. Mort was always exceedingly kind and positive – and brave throughout his fight. He was the definition of class, professionalism, and friendship. Rest in Peace, Mort. https://t.co/WMZgQOZlsx
— Hannah Storm (@HannahStormESPN) March 4, 2024
Tough to put into words how much Chris Mortensen meant to our business—He accomplished so much. And along the way he did a lot for others. I'll never forget the random notes he'd send me while I was covering the lockout, before I knew him very well, to encourage me.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) March 3, 2024
RIP Mort. pic.twitter.com/lLJHAvOW9s
Chris Mortensen was one of my favorite humans. I will cherish our time working together, but more than that, the conversation we had about life and faith. Heaven gained a great one.
— Amanda Brown (@AmandaCB79) March 4, 2024
Chris Mortenson was a loyal and trusted friend. Mort cared about his Faith, family, friends, and football as much as anyone I’ve ever known. He treated me like family and helped me through some difficult times. His kindness was from his soul. A great example of courage. Another…
— Sean Salisbury (@SeanUnfiltered) March 3, 2024
One of the kindest, warm, and wonderful people I ever had the privilege of knowing in this business. Supported us from day 1. RIP, Mort https://t.co/0EKtF4aJhG
— Mike Ryan (Ruiz) ???????? (@MichaelRyanRuiz) March 3, 2024
Wonderful human being. World class member of @ESPN family. #ChrisMortensen https://t.co/F7zQea4z0x
— james andrew miller (@JimMiller) March 3, 2024
When I first started at ESPN, Mort said “whatever you need, let me know.” He then always made himself available for shows I produced at ESPN Radio. An unbelievably sad day. https://t.co/Ykk9yBCGH2
— Evan Wilner (@WilnerRadio) March 3, 2024
Chris Mortensen, with whom I once worked at The National, had a career that was a hymn to the best of our business. And was even a better man than he was a reporter. He is gone now, after a long, brave battle against cancer. It was an honor to have known him.
— Mike Lupica (@MikeLupica) March 3, 2024
You’re going to hear a lot of great stories – and all of them are true – Chris Mortensen was just as good a person to PA’s as he was to executives. R.I.P.
— Jason Smith (@howaboutafresca) March 3, 2024
Just saw the news about Mort and an incredible, profound sadness overcame me. He was a decades long friend and someone for whom I had total admiration as a professional and love and respect as a wonderful person. My deepest condolences to Micki and Alex and so many he impacted. pic.twitter.com/2J4C2itG5N
— Andrea Kremer (@Andrea_Kremer) March 3, 2024
This one hurts man. Mort was one of the kindest human beings you would ever know. The conversations we had about football, life, faith were amazing. Gonna miss him dearly
— Damien Woody (@damienwoody) March 3, 2024
This hits hard today. Prayers go out to his family. Chris has been a good friend for close to two decades and contributed to my show for the final time this past Friday. R.I.P. Mort. @680TheFan https://t.co/w1mbufaGbe
— buck belue (@buckbelue8) March 3, 2024
I'm saddened to hear of the passing of Chris Mortensen. He was one of the nicest and most caring people I worked with during my time at ESPN. He was beloved by everyone he interacted with. He will be sorely missed.
— Adam Klug (@Adam_Klug) March 3, 2024
Chris Mortensen can be called old school if you want, but he did it the right way. #RIPMort https://t.co/9OkzyDoy8G
— Howard Eskin (@howardeskin) March 3, 2024
So sad to hear this. There are so many in our business that get to do what they do because Chris Mortensen showed the way. One of the best to ever do it and a tremendous person to top it all. RIP, Mort. https://t.co/wrMzWJK9nV
— Brent Axe (@BrentAxeMedia) March 3, 2024
